City Newsroom

Curbside Recycling Program Preparations Underway

Blue Recycling Carts will be delivered late this spring

Post Date:02/21/2018 11:45 AM

Medicine Hat - The City of Medicine Hat and Can Pak Environmental (Can Pak) will roll out Curbside Recycling late this spring. Households that have a grey household waste cart will receive one of approximately 23,000 blue recycling carts. Information Sessions are being organized to share Curbside Recycling Program details with Medicine Hat residents.

“A 2015 Customer Service Survey told us there is strong local support for curbside recycling. The City of Medicine Hat is proud to be amongst Canada’s 50 largest municipalities that participate in a residential recycling program,” says Brian Murphy, General Manager of the City’s Environmental Utilities Division. “We are working to ensure our program will meet the needs of our customers and be a success.”

The City’s 2012-2022 Solid Waste Management Plan places a priority on increasing waste diversion rates to meet provincial standards. The plan’s 5-Year Progress Report shows that while many residents recycle, the amount of waste diverted from the landfill has plateaued over time. “With the convenience of using the blue recycling carts, we are confident that even more residents will recycle, helping to prevent these materials from being landfilled as garbage,” added Murphy.

All single family residences and smaller multi-family residences (4plexes or less) which currently have a grey cart will receive a blue recycling cart. There is no opting out of the program. The net cost to residents upon implementation will be less than $6 per month and will be included on utility bills. The adjusted rates, which will go to Council for final approval in spring, will cover fees to Can Pak Environmental, the purchase and maintenance of the blue recycling carts, customer billing, tracking and other administration costs.

Can Pak Environmental, who already offers recycling services to cities and towns across the province, was awarded the contract for the City’s curbside and depot recycling services in March 2017.“Can Pak will bring great experience to Medicine Hat,” says Murphy.

“Residents will not need to separate their recyclables – sorting and processing is all done at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF),” says Randy Wong, local manager of Can Pak Environmental. “Can Pak will create local employment, provide sponsorships and seek to support local business,” added Wong.

“We recognize that many residents are enthusiastic recyclers and thank them for their support,” notes Brian Murphy. “We will work alongside Can Pak to make sure residents have time to ask questions and learn about the new program prior to the late spring rollout.”

The public is invited to visit the City of Medicine Hat’s Environmental Utilities booth at the Sunshine Home & Garden Show March 2 – 4. Public Information Sessions will be held in the main lobby of the Family Leisure Centre on April 11 from 4 – 7 pm and at Hillcrest Church Coffee House on April 12 from 4 - 7 pm.

Children ages 3+ are encouraged to show their creativity and enter the Blue Cart Colouring Contest. The contest will run from February 21 – April 20, 2018, a winner in each category will receive a $100 gift card to the Family Leisure Centre and a photo with the Mayor. For entry forms and additional information visit www.medicinehat.ca/recycle.

Detailed information will be available at the information sessions, included in the cart packages and will be posted on the City’s website at www.medicinehat.ca/recycle. More information will be available through the MyWaste App, or by calling Environmental Utilities at 403.529.8176.